The Health, Nutrition and Wellness site
2 Aug
Dear All,
Due to increased demand for information and the limited space afforded by this format, I am in the process of designing an updated website. Eat-salad.com will still remain, but only as a personal blog on various health topics and other ponderings on things natural.
The new site should be live in September, please watch this space for further details.
With warmth,
Lela
Dear All,
Due to increased demand for information and the limited space afforded by this format, I am in the process of designing an updated website. Eat-salad.com will still remain, but only as a personal blog on various health topics and other ponderings on things natural.
The new site should be live in September, please watch this space for further details.
With warmth,
Lela
26 Feb
As the old year ends, I always have a sense of completion and some excitement and sometimes nervousness about what the new year may bring. This past year, I have undergone major challenges regarding my health, all linked directly to my nutrition and lifestyle and as such have been reminded of how important it is to pay attention to how I nurture myself, with food and in other ways. Thus, I thought it may be a nice idea to make this next year a year of finding the way of eating (and living) which makes me feel most alive, energetic and healthy and sharing my findings with you (aren’t you lucky?:-) ).
Most of us are really ‘connected’ to how we eat. I’ve recently been doing research for an article on vegetarianism and fruitarianism and it made me realise yet again how intimately we view our diet. Even if you are someone who doesn’t ‘pay much attention’ to food, just wait until you are asked to change your way of eating and you will be surprised at how important your food suddenly becomes! So, with this in mind, my reasoning is such, if I change/improve/expand my relationship with food, this will directly impact on the rest of my life..
As the old year ends, I always have a sense of completion and some excitement and sometimes nervousness about what the new year may bring. This past year, I have undergone major challenges regarding my health, all linked directly to my nutrition and lifestyle and as such have been reminded of how important it is to pay attention to how I nurture myself, with food and in other ways. Thus, I thought it may be a nice idea to make this next year a year of finding the way of eating (and living) which makes me feel most alive, energetic and healthy and sharing my findings with you (aren’t you lucky?:-) ).
Most of us are really ‘connected’ to how we eat. I’ve recently been doing research for an article on vegetarianism and fruitarianism and it made me realise yet again how intimately we view our diet. Even if you are someone who doesn’t ‘pay much attention’ to food, just wait until you are asked to change your way of eating and you will be surprised at how important your food suddenly becomes! So, with this in mind, my reasoning is such, if I change/improve/expand my relationship with food, this will directly impact on the rest of my life..
15 Oct
How often have you just had a ‘hunch’ about something and found yourself to have been right? It may have been something as small as knowing who is calling before you answer the phone (and no I’m not talking about caller ID!) or as big as taking a turn somewhere and avoiding a fatal accident or getting on the ‘wrong’ train and meeting the love of your life.
For many of us, intuition is something we feel occasionally graces us with its gift, however we don’t really see it as part of our everyday life, definitely not as a sixth sense, always present.
The truth is, with todays rushed lifestyles, we don’t allow much space for our intuition to come through. When we allow quiet time in our day, the chances of us being alert to our own intuitive messages are so much greater.
I think of intuition sort of like a map, it’s always available, you just need to know how to read it and seeing as you are the cartographer of your own particular intuition map, you can decide how the signals work for you. In my own case, I recently had a few instances where I was about to do something when I felt a heavyness on my chest and my throat became tight, it was a feeling of a few seconds but it was enough to make me pause in what I was doing and all three times, it helped me to avoid potentially upsetting, disastrous or dangerous situations.
I have also had times when I would be daydreaming during a walk or just before going to sleep and something would come up, a fleeting thought, not really as strong sensation at all, yet a few days later I would find myself in a situation where that thought had important relevance. I think of these times as ‘heads up’ from my intuitive self.
How do we access our intuitive self?
Well, as always, everyone is different and I bet that if you spent some time thinking about it you would realise that you have had a few ‘moments’ yourself. Think about when those moments happened and then try to remember what you were doing at the time which allowed you to be open to that information. For example, you may have been reading a book or listening to music, most likely, you were in a space where you weren’t TRYING to access anything and quite probably, you were relaxed. Of course there are times when our intuition steps in to save us from dangerous situations but those are not the times I am referring to right now.
When we allow ourselves times of silence and solitude, it opens up the channels of communication to our inner voice or intuition. We create a space for knowledge to become known to us, knowledge which, quite possibly, has been lying dormant in our psyche and just needed us to pay attention. Meditation, yoga, prayer and visualization time are all ways of allowing this space. When we consciously decide to be still and ‘listen’ to the self, we are giving our Selves permission to speak, we are essentially saying: I am listening, please tell me what I need to know.
Doing this not only helps us to access our intuition more easily, it can also prevent us from finding ourselves in uncomfortable situations in our daily lives, when we are listening to our inner voice, we are much more likely to realise when we are too tired and should not drive or when we are feeling strange in our bodies and need a few days off to avoid a cold. We can hear the message which says, ‘follow the yellow brick road’ and we can find our dreams.
Intuition and business.
Some of the great business minds of our time, have followed their own inner knowing against all odds and today have some of the most successful businesses on the planet. Richard Branson started his empire with 4 pounds, he didn’t have a handy manual with step by-step-instructions all the way, sometimes he had to rely on his ‘hunches’. The late Anita Roddick (founder of The Body Shop) started her business by doing door-to-door sales, she had no way of knowing it would become a world wide chain, somewhere she just had to trust that she was on the right track and as we know now, her intuition was spot on.
However you choose to access your inner voice, try to do it every day, give yourself the gift of being a good listener and I hope that you will be as pleasantly rewarded as I am, every day.
How often have you just had a ‘hunch’ about something and found yourself to have been right? It may have been something as small as knowing who is calling before you answer the phone (and no I’m not talking about caller ID!) or as big as taking a turn somewhere and avoiding a fatal accident or getting on the ‘wrong’ train and meeting the love of your life.
For many of us, intuition is something we feel occasionally graces us with its gift, however we don’t really see it as part of our everyday life, definitely not as a sixth sense, always present.
The truth is, with todays rushed lifestyles, we don’t allow much space for our intuition to come through. When we allow quiet time in our day, the chances of us being alert to our own intuitive messages are so much greater.
I think of intuition sort of like a map, it’s always available, you just need to know how to read it and seeing as you are the cartographer of your own particular intuition map, you can decide how the signals work for you. In my own case, I recently had a few instances where I was about to do something when I felt a heavyness on my chest and my throat became tight, it was a feeling of a few seconds but it was enough to make me pause in what I was doing and all three times, it helped me to avoid potentially upsetting, disastrous or dangerous situations.
I have also had times when I would be daydreaming during a walk or just before going to sleep and something would come up, a fleeting thought, not really as strong sensation at all, yet a few days later I would find myself in a situation where that thought had important relevance. I think of these times as ‘heads up’ from my intuitive self.
How do we access our intuitive self?
Well, as always, everyone is different and I bet that if you spent some time thinking about it you would realise that you have had a few ‘moments’ yourself. Think about when those moments happened and then try to remember what you were doing at the time which allowed you to be open to that information. For example, you may have been reading a book or listening to music, most likely, you were in a space where you weren’t TRYING to access anything and quite probably, you were relaxed. Of course there are times when our intuition steps in to save us from dangerous situations but those are not the times I am referring to right now.
When we allow ourselves times of silence and solitude, it opens up the channels of communication to our inner voice or intuition. We create a space for knowledge to become known to us, knowledge which, quite possibly, has been lying dormant in our psyche and just needed us to pay attention. Meditation, yoga, prayer and visualization time are all ways of allowing this space. When we consciously decide to be still and ‘listen’ to the self, we are giving our Selves permission to speak, we are essentially saying: I am listening, please tell me what I need to know.
Doing this not only helps us to access our intuition more easily, it can also prevent us from finding ourselves in uncomfortable situations in our daily lives, when we are listening to our inner voice, we are much more likely to realise when we are too tired and should not drive or when we are feeling strange in our bodies and need a few days off to avoid a cold. We can hear the message which says, ‘follow the yellow brick road’ and we can find our dreams.
Intuition and business.
Some of the great business minds of our time, have followed their own inner knowing against all odds and today have some of the most successful businesses on the planet. Richard Branson started his empire with 4 pounds, he didn’t have a handy manual with step by-step-instructions all the way, sometimes he had to rely on his ‘hunches’. The late Anita Roddick (founder of The Body Shop) started her business by doing door-to-door sales, she had no way of knowing it would become a world wide chain, somewhere she just had to trust that she was on the right track and as we know now, her intuition was spot on.
However you choose to access your inner voice, try to do it every day, give yourself the gift of being a good listener and I hope that you will be as pleasantly rewarded as I am, every day.
27 Sep
Ever since I can remember I have been easily influenced by sounds. I used to spend hours in the one local museum, listening to the recordings of whale song, over and over again. It made me feel peaceful and allowed my mind to drift to the furthest reaches of my young imagination.
Later when I started listening to more music, I noticed that certain genres were too ‘heavy’ for me, I would find myself becoming more aggresive after listening to certain songs or beats and vice versa, I could also calm myself down by listening to calming music.
Sound has been used as a healing and calming agent for many hundreds of years. Many religions have chants and songs of praise and even in pagan times there were songs to be sung for welcoming the harvest, the rain, the Spring and so forth. Toning is a way of using sound to heal the body and even those who cannot hear can use sound to heal by feeling the vibrations caused by a certain sound.
Animal sounds.
Whales can communicate over vast distances using sound and bats send out a pitch so high, we as humans cannot hear it. Many animals seem to ‘talk’ to one another using a variety of sounds and there are of course the birds like parrots who can mimic sounds of other species.
Sound in our lives.
So how do we use sound to heal and connect?
Think of walking next to the sea, imagine the sound of the waves and the cry of the sea-gulls.. feeling relaxed? Even just the memory of some sounds can make us feel calm and centred within seconds and, as the opposite is also true, it is important that we are conscious about which sounds we expose ourselves to.
Have a music day.
Take a day or afternoon and go through your cd collection, you’ll be surprised at what you find and what feelings are brought to the fore. You may laugh at the music from your first date and cry at the song which was playing just after your first child was born. You may miss old friends and decide to connect again. Music can be a storehouse for memories and listening to it can recall events almost as if they happened yesterday. Having a ‘music day’ every now and then is a wonderful way of accessing a whole host of emotions.
Focus.
Use music to help you focus while working on a project or studying for an exam, find the music which most helps to focus your mind and compile yourself a cd to play at these times.
Motivate.
Use music to up your tempo when exercising or to wake you up when you have to get up earlier than usual. Preset your radio or cd player to switch on along with your alarm, a much nicer way to start your day!
Sound does not only have to involve listening, making sound can also be a healing experience, think of how good you feel singing in the shower! If you are someone who enjoys singing but you have let it fall by the wayside due to work or other commitments then make the effort to fit some singing into your life. Find a local choir or join a group at your church or community centre and free your voice, you’ll be amazed at how it impacts on your life.
However you use sound in your life, remember it is one more blessing we have been given to connect with our inner selves and the world around us in ever more authentic ways.
Ever since I can remember I have been easily influenced by sounds. I used to spend hours in the one local museum, listening to the recordings of whale song, over and over again. It made me feel peaceful and allowed my mind to drift to the furthest reaches of my young imagination.
Later when I started listening to more music, I noticed that certain genres were too ‘heavy’ for me, I would find myself becoming more aggresive after listening to certain songs or beats and vice versa, I could also calm myself down by listening to calming music.
Sound has been used as a healing and calming agent for many hundreds of years. Many religions have chants and songs of praise and even in pagan times there were songs to be sung for welcoming the harvest, the rain, the Spring and so forth. Toning is a way of using sound to heal the body and even those who cannot hear can use sound to heal by feeling the vibrations caused by a certain sound.
Animal sounds.
Whales can communicate over vast distances using sound and bats send out a pitch so high, we as humans cannot hear it. Many animals seem to ‘talk’ to one another using a variety of sounds and there are of course the birds like parrots who can mimic sounds of other species.
Sound in our lives.
So how do we use sound to heal and connect?
Think of walking next to the sea, imagine the sound of the waves and the cry of the sea-gulls.. feeling relaxed? Even just the memory of some sounds can make us feel calm and centred within seconds and, as the opposite is also true, it is important that we are conscious about which sounds we expose ourselves to.
Have a music day.
Take a day or afternoon and go through your cd collection, you’ll be surprised at what you find and what feelings are brought to the fore. You may laugh at the music from your first date and cry at the song which was playing just after your first child was born. You may miss old friends and decide to connect again. Music can be a storehouse for memories and listening to it can recall events almost as if they happened yesterday. Having a ‘music day’ every now and then is a wonderful way of accessing a whole host of emotions.
Focus.
Use music to help you focus while working on a project or studying for an exam, find the music which most helps to focus your mind and compile yourself a cd to play at these times.
Motivate.
Use music to up your tempo when exercising or to wake you up when you have to get up earlier than usual. Preset your radio or cd player to switch on along with your alarm, a much nicer way to start your day!
Sound does not only have to involve listening, making sound can also be a healing experience, think of how good you feel singing in the shower! If you are someone who enjoys singing but you have let it fall by the wayside due to work or other commitments then make the effort to fit some singing into your life. Find a local choir or join a group at your church or community centre and free your voice, you’ll be amazed at how it impacts on your life.
However you use sound in your life, remember it is one more blessing we have been given to connect with our inner selves and the world around us in ever more authentic ways.
12 Sep
Our sense of touch must be one of the most delightful parts of existing in a physical body! Not only does it bring us pleasure, it also alerts us to danger and notifies us when something is not quite right.
Touch as a sense is experienced by touching something but in my opinion also by being touched. Thus when we are thinking about how to incorporate the sense of touch more into our lifes we can also think about Swedish massage, reflexology, shiatsu, acupressure and much more.
If you have a furry friend as a pet, I am sure you are familiar with the immense sense of calm that is experienced when stroking them or the warm fuzzy feeling when your cat rubs itself against your legs. Some textures are more pleasing than others, it’s true, I wouldn’t want to get up close and personal with a hedgehog, that’s for sure!
So how can we use touch to bring us into the ‘now’ and benefit ourselves mentally and physically?
Massage.
Massaging in your body lotion (sense of smell) after a bath or shower is a good time to explore the sense of self administered touch. Really put thought into your movements and spend a little extra time on areas where your muscles feel tense, besides helping you relax, this exercise also puts you more ‘in touch’ (excuse the pun!) with your body.
Alternatively, book a Swedish massage or other bodywork modality treatment at least once a month. If your budget does not stretch to this then do a ‘massage swap’ with a friend or partner, you will notice the benefits, trust me!
Non-visual visualization.
Use your sense of touch to guide your mind, for example, hold a small pebble from the beach in your hand while you meditate. Just holding the pebble will make it easier for you to take your mind into a visualization where you are sitting on the beach in the setting sun. Put a bowl of body temperature water by your desk at home and put your feet in it when you start getting that ‘frazzled’ feeling. Believe me, it works! You can even put some smooth pebbles in the bottom of the bowl and imagine to yourself that you are walking in a stream.
Nature’s touch.
Feel the texture of the bark of a tree and then let the lower leaves brush your hands or cheeks. Take off your shoes when you are walking on the grass and you’ll be surprised and pleased to discover that you feel much more ‘grounded’ after walking this way for a short while.
Comforting touch.
Wrap yourself in a mohair blanket or wear silk pjs when you need to feel just that little more comforted. Make a cocoon in your duvet or snuggle into your favourite jersey. It sure beats the calorie count in a bar of chocolate!
Be conscious.
Allow yourself to touch and be touched, take someones hand and give them yours. Be aware of your intention when touching or being touched and be willing to experience your world in a more ‘hands on’ way!
Our sense of touch must be one of the most delightful parts of existing in a physical body! Not only does it bring us pleasure, it also alerts us to danger and notifies us when something is not quite right.
Touch as a sense is experienced by touching something but in my opinion also by being touched. Thus when we are thinking about how to incorporate the sense of touch more into our lifes we can also think about Swedish massage, reflexology, shiatsu, acupressure and much more.
If you have a furry friend as a pet, I am sure you are familiar with the immense sense of calm that is experienced when stroking them or the warm fuzzy feeling when your cat rubs itself against your legs. Some textures are more pleasing than others, it’s true, I wouldn’t want to get up close and personal with a hedgehog, that’s for sure!
So how can we use touch to bring us into the ‘now’ and benefit ourselves mentally and physically?
Massage.
Massaging in your body lotion (sense of smell) after a bath or shower is a good time to explore the sense of self administered touch. Really put thought into your movements and spend a little extra time on areas where your muscles feel tense, besides helping you relax, this exercise also puts you more ‘in touch’ (excuse the pun!) with your body.
Alternatively, book a Swedish massage or other bodywork modality treatment at least once a month. If your budget does not stretch to this then do a ‘massage swap’ with a friend or partner, you will notice the benefits, trust me!
Non-visual visualization.
Use your sense of touch to guide your mind, for example, hold a small pebble from the beach in your hand while you meditate. Just holding the pebble will make it easier for you to take your mind into a visualization where you are sitting on the beach in the setting sun. Put a bowl of body temperature water by your desk at home and put your feet in it when you start getting that ‘frazzled’ feeling. Believe me, it works! You can even put some smooth pebbles in the bottom of the bowl and imagine to yourself that you are walking in a stream.
Nature’s touch.
Feel the texture of the bark of a tree and then let the lower leaves brush your hands or cheeks. Take off your shoes when you are walking on the grass and you’ll be surprised and pleased to discover that you feel much more ‘grounded’ after walking this way for a short while.
Comforting touch.
Wrap yourself in a mohair blanket or wear silk pjs when you need to feel just that little more comforted. Make a cocoon in your duvet or snuggle into your favourite jersey. It sure beats the calorie count in a bar of chocolate!
Be conscious.
Allow yourself to touch and be touched, take someones hand and give them yours. Be aware of your intention when touching or being touched and be willing to experience your world in a more ‘hands on’ way!
11 Sep
Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I really, really, really enjoy my food:-). I would have to admit that this is true!
As we are looking at the senses and how to use them to enhance our health and well-being, let’s take a look at the role played by taste.. In Ayurveda they define six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Ayurvedic wisdom advises that including a little of each of these tastes in each main meal can help to balance the system and minimize cravings. For an amazing article on tastes and the elements visit: http://www.kitchendoctor.com/Ayurveda/taste-elements.html, very interesting!
Examples of foods related to each taste:
sweet: carrots, beet sugar
sour: lemons, yoghurt
salty: sea salt, rock salt
bitter: endive, dandelion, turmeric, coriander
pungent: radish, ginger root
astringent: cilantro, broccoli
For myself, taste is one of the most sensual ways I ‘connect’ with my life and world, good bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt and washed down with some good red wine, mmmm, heaven:-)!
Seriously though, when is the last time you really ‘tasted’ your food? Too often, we are so pressed for time that we rush through breakfast (if we have it at all), grab a sandwich for lunch and cook whatever is quick and easy for dinner. It can be so different, food and experiencing it (the preparing and the eating) can become a joy and pleasure and you and your family will reap wonderful benefits such as improved health, more quality time spent together and more relaxed outlooks on life.
When choosing your food in the supermarket or on the farmers market, try to imagine the flavours in your mouth, think about which dishes you are going to prepare and taste the different spices and herbs you are going to add. This conscious ‘tasting’ of your imagination already sets you up to enjoy the meal so much more and when you eventually really eat the food, there is a feeling of fulfillment as your ‘taste’ experience has now come full circle.
Explore.
Explore and experiment with different tastes as ways to discover new cultures and interesting feedback about your own nature. Trying something spicy when you usually only eat plain food could open up a whole world of new flavours you did not know existed! Be open and adventurous and you may just be pleasantly surprised!
Some of my favourite tastes:(in no particular order)
- wholewheat pasta with olive oil, garlic, ginger powder and chillies, crumbled feta and a glass of red
- hummous
- dark chocolate
- fresh baguette dipped in olive oil and greek yoghurt
- salad with lemon and olive oil dressing a la Hendricus (my Dad)
- spicy butternut soup
- fresh berry juice
- fresh orange juice
- spicy rice crackers/corn chips and avo dip
- anything my mother cooks!
Let me tell you, that list is in no way exhaustive:-)!
Open your mind, open your mouth and let the tastes transport you!
Happy tasting!
Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I really, really, really enjoy my food:-). I would have to admit that this is true!
As we are looking at the senses and how to use them to enhance our health and well-being, let’s take a look at the role played by taste.. In Ayurveda they define six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Ayurvedic wisdom advises that including a little of each of these tastes in each main meal can help to balance the system and minimize cravings. For an amazing article on tastes and the elements visit: http://www.kitchendoctor.com/Ayurveda/taste-elements.html, very interesting!
Examples of foods related to each taste:
sweet: carrots, beet sugar
sour: lemons, yoghurt
salty: sea salt, rock salt
bitter: endive, dandelion, turmeric, coriander
pungent: radish, ginger root
astringent: cilantro, broccoli
For myself, taste is one of the most sensual ways I ‘connect’ with my life and world, good bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt and washed down with some good red wine, mmmm, heaven:-)!
Seriously though, when is the last time you really ‘tasted’ your food? Too often, we are so pressed for time that we rush through breakfast (if we have it at all), grab a sandwich for lunch and cook whatever is quick and easy for dinner. It can be so different, food and experiencing it (the preparing and the eating) can become a joy and pleasure and you and your family will reap wonderful benefits such as improved health, more quality time spent together and more relaxed outlooks on life.
When choosing your food in the supermarket or on the farmers market, try to imagine the flavours in your mouth, think about which dishes you are going to prepare and taste the different spices and herbs you are going to add. This conscious ‘tasting’ of your imagination already sets you up to enjoy the meal so much more and when you eventually really eat the food, there is a feeling of fulfillment as your ‘taste’ experience has now come full circle.
Explore.
Explore and experiment with different tastes as ways to discover new cultures and interesting feedback about your own nature. Trying something spicy when you usually only eat plain food could open up a whole world of new flavours you did not know existed! Be open and adventurous and you may just be pleasantly surprised!
Some of my favourite tastes:(in no particular order)
- wholewheat pasta with olive oil, garlic, ginger powder and chillies, crumbled feta and a glass of red
- hummous
- dark chocolate
- fresh baguette dipped in olive oil and greek yoghurt
- salad with lemon and olive oil dressing a la Hendricus (my Dad)
- spicy butternut soup
- fresh berry juice
- fresh orange juice
- spicy rice crackers/corn chips and avo dip
- anything my mother cooks!
Let me tell you, that list is in no way exhaustive:-)!
Open your mind, open your mouth and let the tastes transport you!
Happy tasting!
10 Sep
I don’t know about you but I’m very affected by smells. I can smell something in passing and immediately be transported back to an event or experience years ago, which has a strong association with that particular scent.
Scents are another way of connecting to our memories and also the present moment, they can help us relax and even re-energise us, aromatherapy hasn’t been around for thousands of years for nothing!
My favourite smells.
Is there anything quite as mouthwatering as the smell of freshly baked (or baking) bread? I remember as a child one of the best treats was to have the crust of the bread, straight from the oven and lathered with farm butter, mmmm…
These days we have to worry about carbohydrate addiction and bad fats! But, I digress, back to scents..When I cannot sleep a few drops of lavender essential oil in a hot bath is wonderfully relaxing and when I need to clear my head putting some peppermint or lemon geranium oil in my oil burner is a great help.
Scents can help to create the space for meditation, burning incense or using essential oils in a burner are ways to fill your home with calming, cleansing smells, putting you in the right frame of mind to connect with your inner voice.
Some essential oil scents and their attributes:
Basil – good for mental fatigue and insomnia.
Chamomile – calming and can make one sleepy so don’t use when you need to drive.
Eucalyptus – useful to inhale when your head and nose feel ’stuffy’ or when you need a clear head to study or work.
Frankincense – wonderful to use when meditating, helps to calm the mind and emotions, very grounding.
Jasmine – uplifting for when you feel ‘under the weather’ or have a case of the ‘blues’.
Lavender – relaxing, calming, good to help alleviate headaches and makes a lovely addition to baby’s bath water.
Lemongrass – uplifting scent and a great insect repellent, burn it in a vapourizer during Summer to keep the mosquitos at bay!
Neroli – also known as ‘orange blossom’ this scent is one of my favourites, it is sensual and calming and is great for when you want to feel extra feminine.
Peppermint – fresh and uplifting and great for clearing your sinuses and head!
Rose – the top of the charts when it comes to scents, rose oil is the way to go if you are in an ultra luxuriant mood and want to feel calm, feminine, loving and give yourself a confidence boost!
Tea-Tree – the scent of tea-tree oil can be slightly anti-septic but it is a wonder for clearing stuffy sinuses and the general uncomfortable symptoms associated with colds and flu. Use a few drops in a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel to inhale the scent.
Ylang-ylang – Right up there with Jasmine, Rose and Neroli, Ylang-ylang is a sensual, feminine scent and is a great one to use for calming nervous tension. Be careful to only use a very small amount as the smell is quite powerful!
Using scents in the bath:
If you are using essential oils in the bath, make sure to mix them with a carrier (or base) oil or some milk before adding them to the water. 2-3 drops to a tablespoon of carrier oil should be plenty.
Burning scented candles is another way of bringing the benefits of scent into your home and has the bonus of also incorporating colour!
So, however you choose to work with your sense of smell, be creative, explore with new scents and above all, enjoy!
Tomorrow we take a look at how to tickle our tastebuds..
I don’t know about you but I’m very affected by smells. I can smell something in passing and immediately be transported back to an event or experience years ago, which has a strong association with that particular scent.
Scents are another way of connecting to our memories and also the present moment, they can help us relax and even re-energise us, aromatherapy hasn’t been around for thousands of years for nothing!
My favourite smells.
Is there anything quite as mouthwatering as the smell of freshly baked (or baking) bread? I remember as a child one of the best treats was to have the crust of the bread, straight from the oven and lathered with farm butter, mmmm…
These days we have to worry about carbohydrate addiction and bad fats! But, I digress, back to scents..When I cannot sleep a few drops of lavender essential oil in a hot bath is wonderfully relaxing and when I need to clear my head putting some peppermint or lemon geranium oil in my oil burner is a great help.
Scents can help to create the space for meditation, burning incense or using essential oils in a burner are ways to fill your home with calming, cleansing smells, putting you in the right frame of mind to connect with your inner voice.
Some essential oil scents and their attributes:
Basil – good for mental fatigue and insomnia.
Chamomile – calming and can make one sleepy so don’t use when you need to drive.
Eucalyptus – useful to inhale when your head and nose feel ’stuffy’ or when you need a clear head to study or work.
Frankincense – wonderful to use when meditating, helps to calm the mind and emotions, very grounding.
Jasmine – uplifting for when you feel ‘under the weather’ or have a case of the ‘blues’.
Lavender – relaxing, calming, good to help alleviate headaches and makes a lovely addition to baby’s bath water.
Lemongrass – uplifting scent and a great insect repellent, burn it in a vapourizer during Summer to keep the mosquitos at bay!
Neroli – also known as ‘orange blossom’ this scent is one of my favourites, it is sensual and calming and is great for when you want to feel extra feminine.
Peppermint – fresh and uplifting and great for clearing your sinuses and head!
Rose – the top of the charts when it comes to scents, rose oil is the way to go if you are in an ultra luxuriant mood and want to feel calm, feminine, loving and give yourself a confidence boost!
Tea-Tree – the scent of tea-tree oil can be slightly anti-septic but it is a wonder for clearing stuffy sinuses and the general uncomfortable symptoms associated with colds and flu. Use a few drops in a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel to inhale the scent.
Ylang-ylang – Right up there with Jasmine, Rose and Neroli, Ylang-ylang is a sensual, feminine scent and is a great one to use for calming nervous tension. Be careful to only use a very small amount as the smell is quite powerful!
Using scents in the bath:
If you are using essential oils in the bath, make sure to mix them with a carrier (or base) oil or some milk before adding them to the water. 2-3 drops to a tablespoon of carrier oil should be plenty.
Burning scented candles is another way of bringing the benefits of scent into your home and has the bonus of also incorporating colour!
So, however you choose to work with your sense of smell, be creative, explore with new scents and above all, enjoy!
Tomorrow we take a look at how to tickle our tastebuds..
9 Sep
How many times do you get into bed and realise you feel like you just rushed through your day, not really experiencing anything fully? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many of us, myself included, sometimes feel that life is rushing past and we don’t know how to catch up!
This morning, with the sun making a much needed appearance, I decided to go for a walk by the sea and as often happens on these walks, I got to thinking, this time about how to get more ‘in touch’ with my life.
Our Senses.
Think about the last time you felt you were really ‘in the moment’, chances are it has something to do with a sensory experience, such as a smell, sight, sound, taste or feeling. Our senses are our ‘connection’ to the world and they can also be the key to bringing us into the here and now.
Let’s look at some ways to incorporate sensory experience consciously into our lives..
Sight.
Something I notice myself doing when I am taking one of my walks, is that my mind wanders and I don’t really see the beauty of the day around me. When I make the effort to really look and really see, I find that I finish my walk refreshed and rejuvenated as my mind has had a rest and I’ve been visually nourished by the uplifting images of the sun on the waves, children playing, a seagull swooping past, a dog barking in the surf..
Bringing our vision back to ‘now’ is a wonderful way to notice the wonders which surround us and put our worries on the back burner for a while. Taking our eyes to the outside rather than proceeding on automatic while planning into the future, helps us to feel gratitude for what we see and be more present in the day and moment.
Colour therapy.
Different colours influence our mood in different ways and incorporating colour into your daily visual experience can be of great benefit to your mental and emotional wellbeing. Try buying colourful stationery, having bright cushions in your living room, putting a vase of flowers on your kitchen table and wearing a scarf or top which expresses the colour of your mood that day. Take a minute and just immerse yourself in the yellow of a sunflower, the blue hues of the waves, the pink of your little ones cheeks or the fire of the setting sun. Drink in the colour, imagining that you are taking it into your body with your breath and as you breathe out, imaging any worries or physical aches leaving your body.
Tomorrow we will take a look at how to celebrate your sense of smell.. for now I’m off to make the most of a Spring evening outside!
How many times do you get into bed and realise you feel like you just rushed through your day, not really experiencing anything fully? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many of us, myself included, sometimes feel that life is rushing past and we don’t know how to catch up!
This morning, with the sun making a much needed appearance, I decided to go for a walk by the sea and as often happens on these walks, I got to thinking, this time about how to get more ‘in touch’ with my life.
Our Senses.
Think about the last time you felt you were really ‘in the moment’, chances are it has something to do with a sensory experience, such as a smell, sight, sound, taste or feeling. Our senses are our ‘connection’ to the world and they can also be the key to bringing us into the here and now.
Let’s look at some ways to incorporate sensory experience consciously into our lives..
Sight.
Something I notice myself doing when I am taking one of my walks, is that my mind wanders and I don’t really see the beauty of the day around me. When I make the effort to really look and really see, I find that I finish my walk refreshed and rejuvenated as my mind has had a rest and I’ve been visually nourished by the uplifting images of the sun on the waves, children playing, a seagull swooping past, a dog barking in the surf..
Bringing our vision back to ‘now’ is a wonderful way to notice the wonders which surround us and put our worries on the back burner for a while. Taking our eyes to the outside rather than proceeding on automatic while planning into the future, helps us to feel gratitude for what we see and be more present in the day and moment.
Colour therapy.
Different colours influence our mood in different ways and incorporating colour into your daily visual experience can be of great benefit to your mental and emotional wellbeing. Try buying colourful stationery, having bright cushions in your living room, putting a vase of flowers on your kitchen table and wearing a scarf or top which expresses the colour of your mood that day. Take a minute and just immerse yourself in the yellow of a sunflower, the blue hues of the waves, the pink of your little ones cheeks or the fire of the setting sun. Drink in the colour, imagining that you are taking it into your body with your breath and as you breathe out, imaging any worries or physical aches leaving your body.
Tomorrow we will take a look at how to celebrate your sense of smell.. for now I’m off to make the most of a Spring evening outside!
20 Nov
The Importance of Hydration in enabling the Body to respond to the Seasons…
This Article, written by Lela, was first published in Biophile magazine, please go to www.biophile.co.za for more information.
A well hydrated body is able to respond to internal and external signals of change in its health picture with ease and to the best of its abilities, thus furthering the beings development and creating optimum health. On the other hand, a dehydrated or underhydrated body is not able to respond as efficiently or speedily to these signals. De-hydration causes cells to coat themselves with cholesterol in order to preserve their internal environment, thereby making cellular communication more difficult. The cells are not able to function to full capacity as the more de-hydrated a body becomes, the more ’cut-off’ the cells become and the increased mucus load leads to a stagnation in the movement of fluids. The body only functions with what is available to it and thus dehydration causes more and more cells to become ‘cut-off’ so the body will be functioning more and more below par. The seasons play an important role in our health picture…
During Winter the energies of the body are more restful, less movement takes place naturally and body fluids thicken. The body’s ability to respond to natural energies (eg moon phases) is lessened. As the body’s fluid picture is quite stagnant at this time it does not detoxify as much as during the rest of the year and thus it is particularly important to avoid challenging foods and to keep the body well-hydrated so as to not compromise further its already reduced ability to rid itself of toxic build-up. If well hydrated at this time the body is less likely to need an acute episode(where body temperature is increased and mucus discharged) in order to rid itself of some of the toxic load. In traditional Chinese medicine the season of Winter is governed by the Water Element and this governs the kidneys and bladder, thus proper hydration is particularly important in order to avoid undue stress on these organs. Stress on the kidneys and bladder(caused by dehydration) can increase the emotion of fear, proper hydration can help the being to cope with or prevent excess of this emotion.
Spring is born from Winter, it is a time of movement and new beginnings. This season is related to the Wood Element and this governs the liver and gall-bladder. During Spring the mucus deposits start thinning and more movement is created. A well hydrated body will be more able to create this necessary movement. However, resistance can be encountered in the movement of energy and mucus deposits and this may manifest in skin eruptions(eg boils and pimples) and blocked sinuses(Spring cold anyone?). Proper hydration helps to combat or prevent this resistance and also helps to prevent and combat any acidity caused by the movement of mucus(which can cause eg. gall-stones and stiff and aching joints). Anger may manifest excessively at this time, this too can be made less by proper hydration. The liver and gall-bladder can be placed under stress particularly in Spring if hydration is insufficient. Spring is the season of flexibility/inflexibility and a well-hydrated body is much more able to create a flexible health picture.
Early Summer
Leaving Spring behind one moves into Early Summer which is associated with the Fire Element and the Heart and Small Intestine. Good hydration will help prevent undue stress on these organs. During this season of rapid growth and expansion in nature one also finds a lot of movement in the body, especially of the blood and lymph. In order to facilitate this movement with ease proper hydration is essential as without it the body is not able to maintain the mobile state which is its natural tendency at this time of year. Impaired cleansing and clearing(insufficient hydration) can show in eg. skin problems. When the body is well-hydrated its ability to create movement on all levels and thus cope better with the growth and change this Season brings about, is greatly enhanced, cells are allowed to communicate more fully and fluids to flow more freely. In the Chinese system of healing there are 5 seasons as opposed to the Western four and thus Late Summer follows Early Summer..
Late Summer is related to the Earth Element and is the time of the year when the growth cycle is coming to an end and the bodies energies are slowly closing down as the Autumn Equinox approaches. During this time the body seeks to rid itself of any toxicity which has been expelled from the cells and in order to do so successfully proper hydration is essential. The mineral status in the body is also important at this time as the body needs to be in harmony with the mineral status of the Earth in order to be properly earthed or grounded and centered itself. This opens the way for toxicity to leave the body. In a dehydrated body, mineral absorption would be below par and calcium displacement would be more severe causing undue stresses. The spleen and stomach are the organs governed by the Earth Element and providing the body with a proper hydration message will help ensure that these organs play their roles efficiently especially as they are very much involved with digestion(stomach), distribution and purification(spleen-blood).
Autumn
After Late Summer comes Autumn, the final build-up and preparation for the quiet period of Winter. At the Autumn Equinox the body might have acute episodes( eg. colds, infections etc.) in order to help shift the toxic load and improve the overall health picture. Good hydration greatly helps this process. During Autumn the fluid picture is contracting and there are toxins in the system after the Autumn Equinox and in order for these to be eliminated efficiently good hydration is essential otherwise more acute clearings may become necessary. These will only be achieved with ease if there is a good hydration picture. The Metal Element governs Autumn which means there is particular emphasis on mental energies as this Element is associated with the mind, lungs, colon and skin. The change in mental energies will coincide with the thickening of body fluids and the cells becoming more ‘cut-off’. Lack of proper hydration at this stage can cause there to be even more stagnation than is natural during this time. Without proper hydration the emotion of grief may also become apparent excessively at this time.
How can Diet help?
In order for the body to receive a good hydration message there are some steps that can be taken related to diet. Eating plenty of hydrating foods such as short grain brown rice and drinking enough clean water(at least 8-10 glasses a day) can help give the colon the message that the body is being adequately hydrated and that it is not necessary for the body to produce excess cholesterol and mucus to coat the cell membranes and so preserve the cells internal environment. The colon receiving a proper hydration message(with the help of bulkers like seeds and phsyllium husks) will also enable the body to let go much more easily and allow the elimination of toxins to take place more efficiently. Cutting down on de-hydrating foods such as pork and wheat will also help give a good hydration message. Plenty of good essential fatty acids can be obtained from oily fish (and linseeds daily for vegetarians) a few times a week. A well hydrated body will be able to respond to the natural energies which bring about cleansing in a progressive way throughout the year thus preventing acute episodes from becoming chronic and moving deeper till possibly even manifesting on a mental and emotional level.
When approached with a loving mindset and recognition of our environment our bodies are bound to try their best to respond with vibrant health throughout the year!
The Importance of Hydration in enabling the Body to respond to the Seasons…
This Article, written by Lela, was first published in Biophile magazine, please go to www.biophile.co.za for more information.
A well hydrated body is able to respond to internal and external signals of change in its health picture with ease and to the best of its abilities, thus furthering the beings development and creating optimum health. On the other hand, a dehydrated or underhydrated body is not able to respond as efficiently or speedily to these signals. De-hydration causes cells to coat themselves with cholesterol in order to preserve their internal environment, thereby making cellular communication more difficult. The cells are not able to function to full capacity as the more de-hydrated a body becomes, the more ’cut-off’ the cells become and the increased mucus load leads to a stagnation in the movement of fluids. The body only functions with what is available to it and thus dehydration causes more and more cells to become ‘cut-off’ so the body will be functioning more and more below par. The seasons play an important role in our health picture…
During Winter the energies of the body are more restful, less movement takes place naturally and body fluids thicken. The body’s ability to respond to natural energies (eg moon phases) is lessened. As the body’s fluid picture is quite stagnant at this time it does not detoxify as much as during the rest of the year and thus it is particularly important to avoid challenging foods and to keep the body well-hydrated so as to not compromise further its already reduced ability to rid itself of toxic build-up. If well hydrated at this time the body is less likely to need an acute episode(where body temperature is increased and mucus discharged) in order to rid itself of some of the toxic load. In traditional Chinese medicine the season of Winter is governed by the Water Element and this governs the kidneys and bladder, thus proper hydration is particularly important in order to avoid undue stress on these organs. Stress on the kidneys and bladder(caused by dehydration) can increase the emotion of fear, proper hydration can help the being to cope with or prevent excess of this emotion.
Spring is born from Winter, it is a time of movement and new beginnings. This season is related to the Wood Element and this governs the liver and gall-bladder. During Spring the mucus deposits start thinning and more movement is created. A well hydrated body will be more able to create this necessary movement. However, resistance can be encountered in the movement of energy and mucus deposits and this may manifest in skin eruptions(eg boils and pimples) and blocked sinuses(Spring cold anyone?). Proper hydration helps to combat or prevent this resistance and also helps to prevent and combat any acidity caused by the movement of mucus(which can cause eg. gall-stones and stiff and aching joints). Anger may manifest excessively at this time, this too can be made less by proper hydration. The liver and gall-bladder can be placed under stress particularly in Spring if hydration is insufficient. Spring is the season of flexibility/inflexibility and a well-hydrated body is much more able to create a flexible health picture.
Early Summer
Leaving Spring behind one moves into Early Summer which is associated with the Fire Element and the Heart and Small Intestine. Good hydration will help prevent undue stress on these organs. During this season of rapid growth and expansion in nature one also finds a lot of movement in the body, especially of the blood and lymph. In order to facilitate this movement with ease proper hydration is essential as without it the body is not able to maintain the mobile state which is its natural tendency at this time of year. Impaired cleansing and clearing(insufficient hydration) can show in eg. skin problems. When the body is well-hydrated its ability to create movement on all levels and thus cope better with the growth and change this Season brings about, is greatly enhanced, cells are allowed to communicate more fully and fluids to flow more freely. In the Chinese system of healing there are 5 seasons as opposed to the Western four and thus Late Summer follows Early Summer..
Late Summer is related to the Earth Element and is the time of the year when the growth cycle is coming to an end and the bodies energies are slowly closing down as the Autumn Equinox approaches. During this time the body seeks to rid itself of any toxicity which has been expelled from the cells and in order to do so successfully proper hydration is essential. The mineral status in the body is also important at this time as the body needs to be in harmony with the mineral status of the Earth in order to be properly earthed or grounded and centered itself. This opens the way for toxicity to leave the body. In a dehydrated body, mineral absorption would be below par and calcium displacement would be more severe causing undue stresses. The spleen and stomach are the organs governed by the Earth Element and providing the body with a proper hydration message will help ensure that these organs play their roles efficiently especially as they are very much involved with digestion(stomach), distribution and purification(spleen-blood).
Autumn
After Late Summer comes Autumn, the final build-up and preparation for the quiet period of Winter. At the Autumn Equinox the body might have acute episodes( eg. colds, infections etc.) in order to help shift the toxic load and improve the overall health picture. Good hydration greatly helps this process. During Autumn the fluid picture is contracting and there are toxins in the system after the Autumn Equinox and in order for these to be eliminated efficiently good hydration is essential otherwise more acute clearings may become necessary. These will only be achieved with ease if there is a good hydration picture. The Metal Element governs Autumn which means there is particular emphasis on mental energies as this Element is associated with the mind, lungs, colon and skin. The change in mental energies will coincide with the thickening of body fluids and the cells becoming more ‘cut-off’. Lack of proper hydration at this stage can cause there to be even more stagnation than is natural during this time. Without proper hydration the emotion of grief may also become apparent excessively at this time.
How can Diet help?
In order for the body to receive a good hydration message there are some steps that can be taken related to diet. Eating plenty of hydrating foods such as short grain brown rice and drinking enough clean water(at least 8-10 glasses a day) can help give the colon the message that the body is being adequately hydrated and that it is not necessary for the body to produce excess cholesterol and mucus to coat the cell membranes and so preserve the cells internal environment. The colon receiving a proper hydration message(with the help of bulkers like seeds and phsyllium husks) will also enable the body to let go much more easily and allow the elimination of toxins to take place more efficiently. Cutting down on de-hydrating foods such as pork and wheat will also help give a good hydration message. Plenty of good essential fatty acids can be obtained from oily fish (and linseeds daily for vegetarians) a few times a week. A well hydrated body will be able to respond to the natural energies which bring about cleansing in a progressive way throughout the year thus preventing acute episodes from becoming chronic and moving deeper till possibly even manifesting on a mental and emotional level.
When approached with a loving mindset and recognition of our environment our bodies are bound to try their best to respond with vibrant health throughout the year!
3 Oct
Article written by Joy.
Well known and a herbal delight, lavender plants find a space in almost every garden. Lavender was used extensively by the Romans and others as a perfume for their baths, explaining the meaning of the latin, ‘lavare’ – to wash. During festivals lavender was strewn on floors, it was also an ingredient of ‘Four Thieves’ vinegar in the Middle Ages and country folk used the herb for dressing wounds, pains in the head as perfume for clothes and linen.
Cultivation of lavender in England is mentioned as far back as 1568 and the Pilgrim Fathers took lavender plants to America.
Popular uses of lavender today include Essential oil, fresh flowers, potpourri and a variety of uses in the perfume and beauty industry.
Originally from the Mediterannean countries, lavender is cultivated worldwide today. The Lavendula species are evergreen perennials and shrubs which need dry and well-drained soil in full sun. It is easily propagated through cuttings and the modern gardner has a wide choice in foliage and flower colour. The following are a few of the more distinctive Lavendula species:
Lavendula angustifolia: Also called English Lavender and is the crop most predominantly grown for the production of Essential oil. Flowers appear on long spikes in the Summer season.
Lavendula dentata: Also called French Lavender, the plants have a distinctive toothed leaf and short thick flower heads, which flower continously. French Lavender makes excellent cut flowers and is used extensively in potpourris and various fragrant bath and beauty products. The plant lends itself to be pruned into sphere shapes.
Lavendula stoechas: Also called Spanish Lavender, its distinctive dark purple flower head is topped by ‘rabbits ears’. The shrub is bushy and can grow between 30 and 90 cms high. The stoechas also have varieties with yellow, brown or white flowers.
Lavendula allardi: Also called Dutch or Hedge Lavender, the plant hardly ever flowers and has large fragrant leaves which may be smooth or toothed, used as greenery. It can grow to 1,5 metres high and is easily clipped into a hedge or topiary.
Lavender Essential oil is extracted from the flowertops and leaves of Lavendula augustifolia, Lavendula lactifolia and Lavendula hybrida through the process of steam distillation. Essential oils are highly concentrated, chemically very complex and should be used with care. Essential oils dissolve easily in plant oils and in alcohol. The therapeutic properties of Lavender Essential oil(the main chemical constituents being esters and alcohols) has been extensively researched, starting with Gattefosse’s observation of the dramatic healing effect of the essential oil on burns and Dr Valnet’s use of Lavender oil for serious war injuries.
Lavender Essential oil has properties ranging from analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, bacteriacidal and hypotensive to a sedative for the heart. It is also a cell regenerator and good for help against fungal infections. Lavender Essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, thus relieving anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Lavender Essential oil is typically used in the proportion of 2 drops per 5ml(1tsp) base oil, water or alcohol. Used in proper dilution, the oil is safe for babies, children and pets.
This versatile Essential oil is available from most Health shops and pharmacies in 10ml or 22ml bottles and is a valuable addition to any home First Aid box.
Article written by Joy.
Well known and a herbal delight, lavender plants find a space in almost every garden. Lavender was used extensively by the Romans and others as a perfume for their baths, explaining the meaning of the latin, ‘lavare’ – to wash. During festivals lavender was strewn on floors, it was also an ingredient of ‘Four Thieves’ vinegar in the Middle Ages and country folk used the herb for dressing wounds, pains in the head as perfume for clothes and linen.
Cultivation of lavender in England is mentioned as far back as 1568 and the Pilgrim Fathers took lavender plants to America.
Popular uses of lavender today include Essential oil, fresh flowers, potpourri and a variety of uses in the perfume and beauty industry.
Originally from the Mediterannean countries, lavender is cultivated worldwide today. The Lavendula species are evergreen perennials and shrubs which need dry and well-drained soil in full sun. It is easily propagated through cuttings and the modern gardner has a wide choice in foliage and flower colour. The following are a few of the more distinctive Lavendula species:
Lavendula angustifolia: Also called English Lavender and is the crop most predominantly grown for the production of Essential oil. Flowers appear on long spikes in the Summer season.
Lavendula dentata: Also called French Lavender, the plants have a distinctive toothed leaf and short thick flower heads, which flower continously. French Lavender makes excellent cut flowers and is used extensively in potpourris and various fragrant bath and beauty products. The plant lends itself to be pruned into sphere shapes.
Lavendula stoechas: Also called Spanish Lavender, its distinctive dark purple flower head is topped by ‘rabbits ears’. The shrub is bushy and can grow between 30 and 90 cms high. The stoechas also have varieties with yellow, brown or white flowers.
Lavendula allardi: Also called Dutch or Hedge Lavender, the plant hardly ever flowers and has large fragrant leaves which may be smooth or toothed, used as greenery. It can grow to 1,5 metres high and is easily clipped into a hedge or topiary.
Lavender Essential oil is extracted from the flowertops and leaves of Lavendula augustifolia, Lavendula lactifolia and Lavendula hybrida through the process of steam distillation. Essential oils are highly concentrated, chemically very complex and should be used with care. Essential oils dissolve easily in plant oils and in alcohol. The therapeutic properties of Lavender Essential oil(the main chemical constituents being esters and alcohols) has been extensively researched, starting with Gattefosse’s observation of the dramatic healing effect of the essential oil on burns and Dr Valnet’s use of Lavender oil for serious war injuries.
Lavender Essential oil has properties ranging from analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, bacteriacidal and hypotensive to a sedative for the heart. It is also a cell regenerator and good for help against fungal infections. Lavender Essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, thus relieving anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Lavender Essential oil is typically used in the proportion of 2 drops per 5ml(1tsp) base oil, water or alcohol. Used in proper dilution, the oil is safe for babies, children and pets.
This versatile Essential oil is available from most Health shops and pharmacies in 10ml or 22ml bottles and is a valuable addition to any home First Aid box.